Aphids, Ants, and Sticky Leaves: How One Pest Leads to Another

Posted by Mosquito Squad

November 5, 2025

Aphids, Ants, and Sticky Leaves: How One Pest Leads to Another

Even the tiniest bugs can cause big backyard problems.

If you’re noticing sticky leaves, curling stems, or trails of ants on your plants, you aren’t imagining things – nor are you alone. These are classic signs of an aphid infestation. In the El Paso area, and throughout our region, aphids are more common than most homeowners realize.

Aphids might tiny but they can create major headaches by not only weakening your plants, but also by attracting other pests that can transform your healthy yard into an unhealthy ecosystem. Mosquito Squad of El Paso’s outdoor pest control solutions help protect your home’s outdoor spaces from these small but mighty invaders.

What Are Aphids and Why Do They Love Your Plants?

Aphids are soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants’ leaves, flowers, and stems. In El Paso’s warm, semi-arid climate – especially in irrigated yards – these pests can thrive year-round. Aphids reproduce quickly, forming colonies that cling to new plant growth, buds, and the undersides of leaves.

When they feed, aphids excrete a sugary liquid, called honeydew. And this is where the trouble begins.

The Sticky Situation, Aphids and Ants

Honeydew produced by aphids is very attractive to ants. Once they find honeydew, ants will literally work to protect aphids from other predators, as to not have their source of honeydew destroyed. This is a win-win for aphids and ants, but a major loss for your landscape.

When you have a small aphid issue, it can quickly become so much more. From sticky, shiny leaves that lead to dirt and fungi to ant infestations, stunted plant growth, and even sooty mold growing on the honeydew.

Professional Aphid Control Can Break the Chain

Knocking aphids off with a hose or applying a DIY spray can help on a temporary basis, but they reproduce so quickly that the problem can return within a few days. If you want to truly solve your issue with aphids, you need to control them, as well as the ants that set out to protect them.

That’s where Mosquito Squad of El Paso delivers results. Our outdoor pest control, like our Yard Defender program, targets multiple pest species, creating a protective barrier around your home and landscape. And with recurring treatments, we’ll help you keep that defense in force – for healthier plants and yard and a happier you.